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| 2016 NFL Draft | |
|---|---|
| Name | 2016 NFL Draft |
| Date | April 28–30, 2016 |
| Location | Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois |
| Network | ESPN, NFL Network, ABC |
| First | Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams |
| Total picks | 253 |
2016 NFL Draft
The 2016 NFL Draft was the annual player selection meeting for the National Football League held at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Illinois from April 28 to April 30, 2016. The event followed the conclusion of the 2015 NFL season and the 2015–16 NFL playoffs, and preceded the 2016 NFL season; it featured collegiate prospects from conferences such as the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, and Atlantic Coast Conference. The draft was broadcast by ESPN (U.S. sports network), NFL Network, and ABC (American TV network) and drew attention from franchises like the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns.
Chicago, a frequent host for professional sports events including the Super Bowl XX, NCAA Final Four, and 2002 MLB All-Star Game, welcomed the draft after the league rotated venues between cities like New York City and Chicago. The choice of the Auditorium Theatre built ties to the Chicago Bears and regional media outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and regional bureaus of Associated Press. The selection of the event site intersected municipal logistics coordinated with the City of Chicago's departments and private partners including Aramark and venue operators associated with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The draft order was determined by inverse order of 2015 regular-season records, subject to trades and compensatory pick formulas administered by the National Football League Players Association. The first overall pick was held by the Los Angeles Rams (via relocation and prior trades), who selected quarterback Jared Goff. Eligible players included underclassmen who declared via procedures governed by the NFL Players Association and seniors from programs such as the University of Alabama, Clemson University, Ohio State University, and University of Florida. Teams managed selections under the constraints of salary cap planning discussed among front offices led by general managers like Les Snead, Mike Maccagnan, and John Dorsey.
The draft featured high-profile selections and complex trades involving franchises such as the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills. Beyond first overall selection Jared Goff, the second pick Carson Wentz was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles out of North Dakota State University. Other top selections included Joel Bitonio-era prospects and later standouts like Ezekiel Elliott (selected by the Dallas Cowboys) and Dak Prescott (selected by the Dallas Cowboys), each representing programs like Ohio State Buckeyes football and Mississippi State Bulldogs football. Notable trade activity included draft-day maneuvers by executives such as Jeff Fisher and Chip Kelly, and multi-pick exchanges that referenced previous dealings involving the St. Louis Rams relocation and franchise negotiations with owners like Stan Kroenke and Jeffrey Lurie.
Pre-draft activities such as the NFL Scouting Combine and East–West Shrine Game shaped perceptions of prospects including quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive linemen. Combine measurables from workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium and regional Pro Day performances influenced rankings by analysts from ESPN (U.S. sports network), CBS Sports, and publications such as Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. Agents like Tom Condon and Drew Rosenhaus shepherded clients through meetings with head coaches including Sean McVay, Doug Pederson, and Bill Belichick, while medical evaluations and psychological assessments conducted by team physicians affected late-round valuations and board movement.
Following the seven rounds, numerous players who went undrafted signed with teams as undrafted free agents, joining rosters of franchises such as the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers. The annual supplemental draft, administered under rules endorsed by the National Football League and overseen by the Commissioner of the NFL, remained a procedural avenue though no major supplemental selections altered roster construction that year. Player representation by agencies including CAA Sports and IMG guided post-draft negotiations and practice-squad arrangements with organizations like the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.
The long-term impact of selections was assessed during the 2016 season and in subsequent years, affecting playoff runs by the Philadelphia Eagles (who later won Super Bowl LII) and roster building for the Los Angeles Rams culminated under coaching staffs led by Sean McVay. Careers launched in this draft influenced franchise strategies for drafts in later years, shaping personnel decisions by executives such as Ozzie Newsome-era counterparts and contributing to free agency markets involving veterans like Tony Romo and rookies who became starters. Retrospective analysis by outlets including Pro Football Reference, ESPN (U.S. sports network), and Bleacher Report evaluated grades for picks and trades through the lens of championships, Pro Bowl selections, and longevity.
The 2016 meeting produced numerical records and notable statistics: total selections numbered 253 across seven rounds, with compensatory selections awarded per NFL formula to teams like the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Individual achievements among draftees included eventual leaders in rushing, passing, and receiving categories in the National Football League seasons that followed; Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro honors accrued to alumni from schools such as Clemson University, Ohio State University, and Alabama Crimson Tide football. Draft-day television ratings and attendance metrics were reported by networks including ESPN (U.S. sports network), and the event's legacy continues to be analyzed in draft histories maintained by institutions like the Pro Football Hall of Fame and databases such as Sports Reference.
Category:National Football League Drafts